Laura

My name is Laura M. LaVoie. I live in Atlanta, GA with my partner of 16 years and our Sphynx cat, Piglet. We are building a cabin in the woods just outside of Asheville, NC. If you're wondering about my credentials, I have a degree in Anthropology from Western Michigan University. I have been published in PanGaia Magazine, Llewellyn's Magical Almanac and Written in Wine: A Devotional Anthology for Dionysos.

Pagan Spirit Gathering Pop-Culture Round Up

 music  No Responses »
Jun 242012
 

Hi, it’s me. I don’t know if you remember be but I have occasionally posted about popular culture here at the Juggler. It has been a while and because of a drastic lifestyle change, I have found myself unable to post much here. However, this weekend I had an experience that made me want to share some things with you folks. I went to Pagan Spirit Gathering in central Illinois. I camped with a number of folks from the PNC and we had a fantastic time. We enjoyed 2pm cocktails every day – including a War of 1812 party that was attended by Selena Fox and Dennis Carpenter of Circle Sanctuary. We all dressed in costumes and drank lavender lemonade and elderflower martinis.  Super fun. Our camp also held a symposium which was attended by Margot Adler and Crystal Blanton and 10 other people. Those were some of the highlights of my trip.

But this isn’t a round up of all the neato things I did. What I want to share with you is some of the music that played at the festival. I have been so impressed by the quality of the live music in our community and I want for everyone to support this art made for Pagans by Pagans by going to see their shows and buying their CDs so they can play more shows. Here are some of the highlights.

I discovered Celia for myself at Atlanta Pagan Pride last year and fell in love. Her live show with the looping machine is a powerful force. She did not disappoint at PSG. I loved everything she performed but my favorite was “Metta Prayer” which is on her new CD.

Always a favorite of mine is Arthur Hinds, and not only because I have known him personally for the last 5 years or so. Unfortunately, Arthur lost his voice mid week, right before his noon concert on Thursday. Even still, his show was great fun and he totally rocked out many songs including festival favorite “Pagan Girl,” to which I danced wildly.

The biggest surprise to me this weekend was Tuatha Dea. In spite of the fact that they extremely popular among Pagans and that I am sure I have crossed their path a dozen times at Pagan events  in the south, I have never heard Tuatha Dea myself. I know, I should have my Pagan Card revoked, but I certainly made up for it at Pagan Spirit Gathering. Not only did they rock the Pagan and Celtic music, but I was super surprised by the classic rock that they also performed. My favorite was a cover of “Turn The Page” by Detroit rocker Bob Seger.

Enjoying the Pagan music at PSG was one of my favorite things and I highly encourage our community to support these artists. Reach out to their websites and connect to them. Work with your local organizations, such as Pagan Pride, to bring these musicians to your events.

Pagan Video by Gotye?

 animation, music  No Responses »
May 182012
 

A couple of spiritual blogs that I read regularly have recently posted the video for Gotye’s song “Bronte”.  I thought I should check it out to see why it resonated so much.  I have to say…just wow.  The Gotye album is one of my favorites that I’ve picked up lately and many of the songs have a spiritual quality. This sad and haunting video is so amazing.

I have no idea what Gotye’s spiritual leanings area. I don’t even think it matters much. This song and video are incredible and I would be surprised if it didn’t touch something deep within you. I might have even cried a little.

 Posted by at 4:42 pm  Tagged with:

Confessions of a Pagan Geek: Laugh Out Loud

 tv  1 Response »
Feb 162012
 
Don’t think I haven’t been watching TV. I have been, but there has been little to comment on. There is still the Battle for Fairy Tale Supremacy that is Grimm Vs. Once Upon A Time. I watch both of them and they amuse me to some degree, but I don’t find either of them breaking new ground. They are extremely derivative of their series of influence, and it is obvious. The most recent episode of OUAT offered some titillating new information on the overall story arc, but the episode was so insipid that I found it difficult to watch. Their special guest star has the same LOST pedigree as the show itself – Emilie De Ravin (Claire on LOST) played a very one dimensional Belle from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Not to be out done, Grimm also asked a cast member from their ancestry (Buffy) to show up – Amy Acker (From Angel and Dollhouse) played a spider creature who kills men to stay young. It was an interesting premise, but the cop drama formula is getting a little old and the overall storyline appears to be getting a little lost with the monster of the week procedural episodes.

Fringe is still awesome. That is all.

However, there are a couple of comedies that I would like to draw the Juggler’s attention to.  Both are in their second season and not only is it worth it to pick them up now, but I would suggest going back and watching the first seasons as well.

The first is the IFC sketch comedy Portlandia. Starring Fred Armisen from Saturday Night Live and Carrie Brownstein from the band Sleater-Kinney, this show is a great hilarious look at life in Portland.  They have not officially made fun of the Pagans yet, but I am expecting it eventually  – and I am okay with that. Why? Because the show is really a laugh-a-minute love letter to Quirky Portland. If they make fun of something it is because they really care.  However, I think many of us can relate to experiences with the reoccurring characters such as the owners of the feminist book store and the hipster couple Spyke and Irys.  Also, put a bird on it!

The second is aired on the SCIENCE channel in the US but aired originally in the UK. It is An Idiot Abroad and is brought to us by the crazy comic genius of Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant.  The premise is simple if you’re not familiar with it. They have a friend named Karl Pilkington who is the kind of guy who just wants to hang out, watch TV and not cause any trouble. He isn’t interested in self enrichment or make the world a better place and he doesn’t seem to have any real ambitions. Because of that, Gervais and Merchant developed a show where they send him off all over the world to be really out of his comfort zone. And they film it.  You can tell that many of the people with whom he interacts are coached to deal with him in the funniest way, but I honestly believe that Pilkington’s reactions are completely genuine.  The first season is funny enough, but with the second season they don’t just send him to random locals and ask him to do crazy things – this time they asked him to look over a list comprised of the most common “Bucket list” wishes and tell him to pick whatever he wants. They then send him on these journeys but  completely disregards what he feels comfortable with and changes the game on him midstream.  Gervais calls it “Somebody Else’s Bucket List.”  In my own life, I strive to have a very open mind to try as many new things as I can and I do think that is one of the ideals many other Pagans also try to live up to. I want to experience as much as I can in my short time on this planet. To watch someone do some incredible once in a lifetime things so reluctantly is eye opening and roll on the floor hilarious.

The Juggler Deep Cuts: Gotye

 music  1 Response »
Feb 032012
 

This isn’t a deep cut in the sense that it is an old song that we can evaluate in a new Pagan light, but rather a true “Deep Cut” as in an unreleased song from an album.  If you listen to the kind of radio station that I do (you know, that plays the kind of music a 30-40something listens to who wants to think they are still relevant), you have probably heard of Australian singer/songwriter Gotye.  His single “Somebody I Used To Know” is taking over airwaves in our hemisphere even though in Oz it is kind of old news.  The song is catchy and fun to sing along to at the top of your lungs in the car when no one else is around.  But this post isn’t about that song.  It also isn’t about his first single, which has an awesome video but I’m only mentioning in passing because it reminds me a lot of old Midge Ure and I don’t think there is enough Midge Ure in the world.

But this post is actually about a different song on the Gotye album.  The song is called “In Your Light” and it just makes me happy to listen to it.  The hand-clapping percussion and lyrics that make you wonder if it is about a lover or the Sun are simply joyful.

Especially in this season between the Solstice and the Equinox, it is nice to be reminded that the sun is returning:

When you’re smiling on me, that is all I need,
To put behind me all my worry and life’s complexities.
Maybe only a moment, but the world just falls away
And I forget myself and everything else that depressed me yesterday

When I sing along to this song in car, it feels very Pagan. I don’t know the religious leanings of Wally De Backer (aka Gotye), but it is just a happy song about the sun or God or someone you love very much and it is just so much fun to listen to.

When I’m in your light, all of this is clear
If only I could always be just as I am right here (in your light)
In your light, just when I’m in your light (in your light)
And I won’t get far if you take that light away

The Wicker Tree: A Review

 film  4 Responses »
Jan 292012
 

I had an opportunity to see the new movie The Wicker Tree today.  I don’t think I have to explain what this movie is to anyone reading The Juggler.  We all know it is the companion piece or “Spiritual Sequel” to The Wicker Man.  I’ve written here before about The Wicker Man, a movie that I loved for all the wrong reasons but still question the reasons we love it as a community.

The original movie, a B Grade film staring Christopher Lee is incredible for the strange Horror-Musical campiness that it exudes. And I have wondered before why this movie is so attractive to Pagans as it depicts an isolated culture of people who still practice human sacrifice.

But The Wicker Tree takes this theme to a whole new level. I have to admit that I really only wanted to see this movie to be able to write about it. I didn’t anticipate enjoying it.  Some of the effect – some of the mystery – would be completely lost because we now understand the formula. What narrative could this movie tell that we didn’t already know?  Well, my personal opinions of the film can be found behind the cut. If you don’t know the story yet you can check out the synopsis at Wikipedia before you read more.

Continue reading »

Imbolc Release by Celia

 music  1 Response »
Jan 242012
 

Arizona based singer-songwriter Celia has released the new song titled “Bridget’s Song” just in time for Imbolc. The song is available for download here.  You can also see the video on YouTube

From Celia’s own facebook page: “Bring on Spring! ‘Bridget’s Song’ is ready! Feel free to share the link far & wide & use this song for Imbolc celebrations.”

Her new album, “For the Asking” is currently available for pre-order on her website.

 

Purgatory: the final movie on the WM3

 culture, film, tv  1 Response »
Jan 142012
 

I have two confessions to make: I have never seen the HBO Documentary Paradise Lost or the follow up documentary, Paradise Lost 2: Revelations.

I’m not qualified to comment on legal issues presented in this movie. I can form opinions just like anyone else, but those opinions will be based entirely on news stories I read and the third installment of the Paradise Lost series, Purgatory. This aired Thursday night on HBO.  What I can comment on is the quality of the programming and what the modern Pagan community might find most interesting about it.

If you are not acquainted with the story of the West Memphis 3, there are plenty of available resources.  I knew as much as was covered in the national news over the last 17 years before sitting down and tuning on HBO.

The filmmakers did a good job of summarizing the events for people who might not have seen their first two installments.  It brings the story up to date, shows the celebrity involvement to make the case public, and brings up the information from forensic experts who declare that they can’t say who did it but it was less than likely any of the WM3 were involved.  There are interviews with the men who had been in prison since the early 90s, all three maintaining their innocence.  Most importantly, the documentary includes an epilogue describing what happened in August of last year.  In fact, the movie was scheduled to be aired in November of 2011, but the events of the surprise hearing in August made them pull the movie and include the new information.

The men were offered an Alford Plea from the state.  I was moved my John Mark Byers, father of one of the murdered boys, who has spent some time reconsidering the events and believes that the three teenagers were not responsible for the crimes.  He is interviewed outside of the courthouse where he declares the Alford Plea to be “bullshit”.

I can’t help but agree with Byers – a man who at one time burned the WM3 in efigy and later was accused by Echols himself. Today, he firmly believes that the three men are innocent and added his voice to the fight for a new trial.

They would have been granted a new trial, according to the documentary, but Arkansas made a sharp left turn by calling a special hearing and offering them the Alford plea.  Rather than exonerating the three convicted men, this option exonerates the state from being accused of a witch hunt themselves. They wash their hands of it, the men proclaim innocence but declare guilt and everyone goes home and about their business. Meanwhile, someone really brutally murdered three little boys and they will never be caught. They can never be tried for these crimes because someone else is listed as guilty. But why would the state just let three murderers walk free unless they thought they would lose the new trial?  In Byer’s words, it is indeed Bullshit.

Of course the idea of a legal witch hunt is important to modern pagans.  The film makes a convincing case that Echols was convicted of being “weird”. Baldwin was convicted for being friends with the weird kid. Misskelley appears to be convicted because he was simple. This is disturbing for anyone, not just Pagans. One of the most disturbing segments of the documentary focused on Dr. Dale Griffis, the prosecutions so-called Occult Expert. During the trial, the defense attempted to discredit him but the judge was unconvinced – a mail order degree from an uncredited school was a perfectly fine way to declare expertise in a field. But the documentary shows Griffis’ office – and the hand drawn degree mounted on the wall and the drawers and drawers of vVHS tapes of him speaking on the subject. Turns out, a year before the murders, the local police had contacted him about Echols. Provided him with drawings and writings that Echols had done – including wizards holding “athames” and pentagrams. To some people, these appear to be angsty teenage doodlings. To Griffis, this was clearly Echol’s way to commune with the devil.  The now elderly “expert” shakily unfolds these drawings for the camera to discuss what they mean. It is clear that the police had their eyes on the teenager for a long time, and any reason to pin him down to something devastating was just waiting to rear its head. However, we  should also be cautious that we don’t paint Echols as a martyr. He had a troubled past, but it is an important distinction that a being a troubled teen does not mean a person has committed murder. We are fond as a country of sensationalizing murder trials. I appears we have been doing it since Salem.  And just look at Casey Anthony and Joran van der Sloot – guilt or innocence doesn’t actually mater as long as it makes for an interesting news story.

The documentary is moving. It is challenging. It is even in some ways inspiring. But even though the WM3 have walked out of jail, they are not entirely free. They are marked. They have a past. They will always have a cloud around them.  In this case, though, the documentary was not simply about documentation. After the first film, they raised enough doubts to encourage people to take action.  They made a second film to show the world what they discovered.  They made a third film to show how people were trying to work together to free these men. This is not only a social commentary – this was social action.

 

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